Isn't it the job of politicians to represent the will of Americans?

Question

that's why they call them "represenatives"... right?

so, why would you want someone in office that "does whatever they want to and doesn't bow down to the 'public'"...

if we elected someone... we gave them the job, and we are their boss

That's like having an employee that just does whatever they want and doesn't care what the boss says... isn't it?

so... Clinton was everyone's voice as well?

and Jimmy Carter... and Nixon... and Johnson

Answer 1

You are definitely correct. Congressional Representatives work for their constituents. The problem is, I don't think the majority of voters really look at the issues when they vote. They seem to only vote for the name that they remember the most, and usually that means the incumbent. Why else would anyone have voted for Strom Thurmond or Robert Byrd so many times. Eventually, a person who spends their time outside of their district and state will lose touch with what their constituents really want. Term limits could be the answer, but that, like everything else, has its good and bad points. The main thing is for a voter to not blindly vote for just anyone. It is the duty of every citizen to make themselves aware of the issues, and to then vote based on those issues.

The office of the President is a totally different thing. He/She needs to be a strong leader, where the legislature needs to be strong representatives of the people. The citizens have their voice in whomever they vote into Congress. If their Congressional representatives do not meet their needs, the citizens need to react accordingly. Write to them, call them, e-mail them, send them petitions, but whatever they do, they need to stress their views on every issue. If a Congressperson repeatedly ignores the wishes of their constituents, it is the constituents duty to elect someone else. The President's job is that of Commander and Chief. While he/she is still accountable to the citizenry, it is only through the Congress. If Congress doesn't keep him/her in line, then vote for a Congressperson who will. It all comes down to knowing the issues, following what your Congressional representatives are actually doing for you in Washington, and making sure they do what you want.

Answer 2

In my opinion it's not.Politicians should not always follow the majority cos that is not what a true democracy stands for.Sometimes a politician needs to have the guts to try and convince his voters that he/she has a better idea than them.
That was the original purpose of a representative democracy compared to a direct democracy.Not everybody has the capacities,time or even interest to follow the issues and form a balanced,well though through
position.
So it was seen as better to let everybody have a vote(therefor it's democracy)but let the actual governing depend on the smartest and well educated minds.
If politicians than just let their positions decide by opinion polls,they are corrupting that system.
Direct democracy could be an alternative but only if everyone had an equal opportunity or it would be no democracy at all.
The system certainly is not perfect now,not everybody votes and mostly the weak don't have a voice but I think this would be even worse in a direct democracy.
Does this answer your question?Or did you mean something completely different?Or is this a question in the category,blah,blah,blah,who agrees whit me?

Answer 3

It's elected official's job to carry out their branch of government. That's a Republic. That's where we live. That's how government functions. You don't like what they're doing? Elect someone else. Democracy, on the other hand, is exclusive rule by the people, where the rulers are merely puppets, doing whatever the people want. Problem is, this is how people get disenfranchised. The founding fathers knew this; that's why they made America a Republic.

Answer 4

That is absolutely the wrong way to look at it. We are not electing machines who take poll and do the will of whatever district they come from. Otherwise, we could all just put a bunch of computers in Congress and vote on everything. We elect people to REPRESENT our best interests. Sometimes our best interests are not what we would vote for if given the chance. Ideally, of course.

Answer 5

Politicians are supposed to represent the people but that does not mean that they should blindly follow every push poll that is put out by the news media. I Think that is where you are going with you question.

Politicians are also supposed to provide leadership. That means that sometimes they have to make decisions that are unpopular with the electorate.

Do not make the mistake that the polling that you see in the news media represents the "will" of the American people. These polls commonly over-sample the liberals and are designed to steer public opinion not report it.

Answer 6

We are being represented in the right way by the President of the U.S.. We elected him because we knew he would make the right decisions. He has not let me down. He is my employee and he is deserving of the employee of the year! If you are talking about your congressman well the election is coming up again. Let your vote be heard! That is why my voice is in the Whitehouse.

Answer 7

I think the American people have become too complacent with their elected officials (right or left). We need to start a grass roots program to "shake some sense" into the American people similar to the get out the vote campaign for young people, only this time we're reiterating who and what politicans are and begin to hold them accoutable.

Answer 8

Technically, you are right. Constitutionally you are right. But in reality..once elected, they all serve their own needs first. They only worry about constituents when election time comes around...unfortunate, but true in most cases. Regardless of political affiliation.

Answer 9

no that's the job of represintives, poli-titions work for the bank-bankers

Answer 10

yep, and they are. half the country picked george bush jr., and he's doing what they want. well, doing enough so they don't turn on him, that's for sure.